KERRVILLE, Texas (BP) – On most days, it’s easy to see why families have flocked to this area for generations. The typically low, tranquil Guadalupe River backdrops activities like swimming, fishing, tubing and kayaking. The hills bring winding roads loved by motorcyclists and trails popular with hikers.
But the joy that many associate with the Texas Hill Country, particularly on weekends like the Fourth of July, makes the tragic flash flooding that has claimed at least 89 lives that much harder to comprehend.
“A lot of people come here to camp along the river. It’s a beautiful area,” said Joey Tombrella, pastor of First Baptist Church in Kerrville. “If you want to spend a weekend here, go to a fireworks show or just camp, it’s perfect.
“That’s what makes this so painful. People were just having fun and being together.”
Camp Mystic, a Christian all-girls camp on the banks of the Guadalupe, released a statement this morning (July 7) grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors. Included among the dead is Dick Eastland, who directed the camp alongside his wife, Tweety, since 1974.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” it read.
Among those killed was 8-year-old Sarah Marsh, daughter of Samford University professor Patrick Marsh.
Disaster Relief through Texas’ two Baptist state conventions has responded to the area, setting up a feeding unit and a generator. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief announced today that a recovery and mud-out team will arrive soon.
Robert Wheat, director of Missions for Hill Country Baptist Association, watched two Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief trailers move into his parking lot while speaking with Baptist Press Monday morning.
“Area churches have responded well,” he said, all things considered. “The people have worked to manage the influx of supplies and resources.”
Area residents braced for another evacuation order Sunday night (July 6) as the forecast called for more heavy showers amid saturated soil. Thankfully, that didn’t materialize.
Supplies have arrived as first responders continue looking for the missing. At the same time, a massive cleanup begins. The long-term response will require a lot of prayer support.
“Pray for those coordinating everything. Kerrville certainly wasn’t expecting this, but we’re walking through it,” said Wheat. “There has been enormous support from around the globe. The boots are on the ground, though, with Disaster Relief teams and others who will be doing the work to come.”
Tombrella’s phone began lighting up around 6:30 a.m. on Friday morning with news of the flooding from those who worked with the city and country.
“They told me, ‘It’s bad, Joey. Really bad,’” he said.
Tombrella will mark three years at First Baptist in November. Long-tenured residents in the area who have been through floods before tell him this one surpasses anything they’ve seen. Church members whose homes were destroyed are reticent to make much about it, considering the number of those who lost their lives.
“They don’t want to admit their own struggle,” he said. “The greatest need over the next couple of weeks will be to share the gospel and remind people that there is still hope.”
He spent his Saturday visiting others and spending a lot of time at reunification centers, not all of which were for those whose loved ones were still alive.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gauge on the Guadalupe River east of the town of Hunt recorded a depth of 7.67 feet at 1:40 a.m. on July 4. It surpassed the flood stage of 10 feet by 4 a.m. before racing to a record 37.52 feet just over two hours later.
First responders spent the weekend looking for survivors, but also trying to move among the backcountry roads jammed with those wanting to see the damage.
“Our biggest trial is making a runway for ministry that’s clear, organized and not getting in the way of these first responders,” Tombrella said of local churches’ efforts. “People are going to be processing this for quite some time.”
The Guadalupe Baptist Association, which is near the same river about five hours away near the coast, shares more than just a name with the flooded region. Its churches are among many joining the response.
“Churches are ready to go,” said Walter Jackson, director of missions for the Guadalupe association in Victoria. “A group of younger guys from E320 Church went there Sunday. They knew someone who died in the flooding and wanted to help, so they transported a trailer of water. Parkway Baptist is collecting items to take. People are involved want to help.”
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